Upstate LBs Bring Speed, Explosiveness
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With Spring practice set to begin next week, there are currently 26 linebackers ranked by Prep Redzone in the 2023 class. A fifth of them are from the Upstate. Anderson, Greenville, Laurens, and Spartanburg counties are all home to a…
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Continue ReadingWith Spring practice set to begin next week, there are currently 26 linebackers ranked by Prep Redzone in the 2023 class.
A fifth of them are from the Upstate.
Anderson, Greenville, Laurens, and Spartanburg counties are all home to a bunch of talented LBs, with five at the top of the class.
Powdersville’s Jalen Rambert Jalen Rambert 6'1" | 240 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2023 State SC is a monster, and helped the Patriots to their best season in school history. He stops the run, he rushes the passer, he pursues sideline-to-sideline, and he covers. Rambert absolutely stuffed the stat sheet last season, with 173 tackles, 53 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, six pass break-ups, 18 hurries, and three defensive touchdowns.
Greenville’s Luke Schuller Luke Schuller 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Greenville | 2023 State SC has a nose for the ball and a knack for finding the running lane, and more often than not when he gets there, he wins the matchup. Schuller notched 142 tackles a year ago, with nine tackles for loss, seven QB hurries, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and three pass break-ups.
Though he’s listed at LB, Southside’s Kazi Bland Kazi Bland 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Southside | 2023 State SC often plays with a hand in the dirt. Whether he’s interior or on the edge, Bland’s explosiveness and power almost demands a double-team. He recorded 50 total tackles last season, with 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Laurens’ Gemire Darden Gemire Darden 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Laurens | 2023 State SC is a problem. He’s quick and powerful enough to play RB for the Raiders, and he shines on the defensive side of the ball as well. Darden squats 470 pounds, bench-presses 350, and used that power to record 108 tackles in just 10 games in his junior season. He’s got a great first step, changes direction well in pursuit, and is a high-motor player.
Byrnes’ Miquel Dingle Miquel Dingle 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2023 State SC is hard to classify. He does so many things well for the Rebels that it’s easier just to call him a football player, in the best sense of the word, than to try to define a position. From his spot at LB, Dingle provides both coverage and pressure, using his 4.45 speed to his advantage. That’s especially evident in open-field, one-on-one matchups with receivers in space, where Dingle does an exceptional job closing down on plays.